Inshore MPA and SAC Management - Phase 1

In line with EU legislation, suitable management measures must be implemented at each site to conserve the protected features. The 17 inshore MPAs and 22 Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) were split into two groups to allow for phased implementation of management measures. Details of the site groupings can be found in the Prioritisation Document.

Following consultation and further opportunities for representations, the below sites now have additional management in the form of either a Marine Conservation Order or an Inshore Fisheries Order. On this page you can also view the process by which these Orders have been laid.

2015 Representation Period - Outcomes

On 11 June 2015 four draft Marine Conservation Orders were published. Representations were invited by 09 August 2015.

After careful consideration the South Arran MCO was laid in the Scottish Parliament on 18 December 2015 to take effect on 08 February 2016. Alongside this, the Omnibus Fisheries Order, and the Luce Bay Fisheries Order were laid at the same time.

New draft MCOs were published on 18 December 2015 for three of the sites:

After careful consideration the Loch Sunart to Sound of Jura MCO and the Wester Ross MCO were laid in the Scottish Parliament on 04 February 2016 to take effect on 23 March 2016. A new draft MCO for the Small Isles MPA will be brought forward later this year.

Regional Stakeholder Management Workshops

Marine Scotland ran a series of regional forums in autumn 2014 to ensure stakeholder participation in the development of management measures for public consultation. The aim was to develop practical and proportionate management approaches that achieve the conservation objectives without unnecessarily hindering economic activity.

The sites included in the first phase were grouped into three main regions, South West (SW), North West (NW) and East (E) as detailed in the map.